Feed-thru connector



ct. 10, 1967 R. J. KINKAID 3,346,834

FEED THRU CONNECTOR Filed 001;. 20, 1964 I N VENTOR.

FOBEET I WW0 12%;; W

1967 R. J. KINKAID 3,346,834

FEED- THRU CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 20, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 In N Oct. 10,1967 R4. KINKAID FEED-THRU CONNECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 20,1964 93 IN VENTOR. Power I m f i //%/Vg/.,vvvn/ m i E 5 V J mm mm 3 mm gNM mm Md M GE: 1 a? I 1 1 d .25 1/ mm mm United States Patent 3,346,834FEED-THRU CONNECTOR Robert .I. Kiukaid, New Cumberland, Pa., assignor toAMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Get. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 405,1446 Claims. (Cl. 339-417) This invention relates to electrical connectorsand particularly electrical connectors of the type to receive electricalterminal means to electrically interconnect same.

Heretofore, feed-thru connectors which are used in the electrical fieldhave been either simple or complex. In the case of simple feed-thruconnectors, they are generally provided with such excessive retentivespring force that it is difiicult to insert a terminal member therein,and, if the spring retentive forces is obtained via the mounting means,the spring retentive force varies in accordance with ambientenvironmental conditions as well as creepage if the block is made ofplastic material as most are. If the feed-thru connector is complex,then the most important drawback in this case is that of cost.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide afeed-thru connector which can be economically manufactured andassembled, and which is extremely reliable and efficient in operationand enables the connection between at least two wires to be readilymade.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feed-thruconnector which has a positive spring tablocking feature.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of afeed-thru connector wherein the tab after being locked therein can beremoved only by means of a tool which is a safety factor.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a feed-thruconnector which includes a common bus to common as many feed-thruconnectors as desired.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments arenot intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but aregiven for purposes of illustration and principles thereof and the mannerof applying them in practical use so that they may modify them invarious forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of aparticular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a feed-thru connector with partialsections of tab members exploded therefrom;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the feed-thru connector of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the feed-thru connector of FIGURE1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a housing or mountingmember for the feed-thru connector of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 5 but showing the feed-thruconnector disposed within the housing;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken along lines 77 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG- URE 6;

3,346,834 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 "ice FIGURE 10 is a View taken alonglines 10-10 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternativeembodiment.

Turning now to the drawings and in particular FIG- URES 1-3, there isshown a feed-thru connector 1. The connector is susceptible to massproduction by automatic machinery and is conveniently formed by shapinga sheet metal blank or strip of a suitable electrically-conductivematerial, such as, brass, bronze, or the like, in successive formingsteps. The metal is sufficiently hard and resilient to impart to theconnection area a spring-like characteristic.

Connector 1 comprises side sections 2 and 3 which are connected by bightsections 4, 5 and 6. An inwardly-directed U-shaped section 7 is disposedbetween bight sections 5 and 6. As can be discerned, each side sectionhas the same configuration so that it will be necessary to describe onlyone thereof.

Side section 3 includes projections 8 and 9 extending outwardly from thetop thereof. A tine member 10 extends outwardly from each end of sidemember 3. Each tine member 10 includes an inwardly-curved portion 11 andan extension 12 extending outwardly from the top surface thereof on thefree end thereof. Bevel surfaces 13 and 14 are located respectively onthe inner surface of the free end of tine member 10 and the outer topend of extension 12.

As can be discerned, curved portions 11 of opposing tine members 10approach each other but do not contact each other. Opposing tine members10 and the curved portions 11 thereof, therefore, define a tab-receivingarea. A recess 15 is disposed in each end of each side section andextends into each tine member 10. Recesses 15 provide strength for thetine members and impart thereto additional spring characteristics.

Extending outwardly from each bight section 4 and 6 is a spring tab-lockmember 16 identical in configuration. Each tab-lock member 16 includesan inwardly-directed recess 17 which imparts strength thereto and anopening 18 disposed outwardly from recess 17. The outer end of opening18 includes an upwardly-directed section 19, the purpose of which willbe described hereinbelow. Lugs 20 are disposed on each side of tab-lockmember 16 adjacent opening 18 and extend outwardly therefrom. The freeend of tab-lock member 16 has a downwardly curved portion 21. Astruck-out portion 22 located in bight section 6 extends downwardlytherefrom in a substantially normal direction. A locking-lance member 23is disposed between bight sections 4 and 5 and extends downwardlytherefrom in a curved manner.

Turning now to FIGURES 4-l0, there is shown a mounting block or housing24 for the feed-thru connector or connectors 1 illustrated in FIGURES1-3. Mounting block 24 is made from a suitable insulating material suchas, for example, nylon, diallyl phthalate, Bakelite, or the like.Mounting block 24 includes a series of parallel openings 25 extendingtherethrough, a keying projection 26 extending outwardly from onesurface of the mounting block, mounting holes 27 extending therethroughand a recess 28 located in the other surface in diametrical relationshipto that of keying projection 26. Other openings 29 extend into mountingblock 24 in a direction normal to that of openings 25 and are incommunication with respective openings 25.

The bottom surface of each opening 25, as shown by FIGURES 5 and 6, hasthe same configuration on each side of opening 29, that is, at theright-hand entrance of opening 25, there is provided a flat surface 30which connects with a slightly inclined surface 31 which merges intoanother inclined surface 32 having more of an inclination than that ofsurface 31. Between surfaces 31 and 32, there is a slightly curvedsection 33. Inclined surfaces 32 on each side of opening 29 merge into afiat surface 34 which is parallel to the axis of opening 25. On theleft-hand side of opening 29, a channel 35 extends from the junction ofsurfaces 31 and 32, within surface 32 and terminates at an abuttingsurface 36 located in surface 34.

A channel 37 is located in the top surface of each opening 25. Eachchannel 37 extends from its respective end of opening 25 to surface 38at which point it terminates. Each of surfaces 38 merges into a flatsurface 39 which is parallel to that of flat surface 34 but spacedtherefrom. Channels40 and 41 are disposed in fiat surface 39 and extendbetween surfaces 38. Separating walls 42 are disposed in mounting block24 in order to separate each opening 25 with respect to the otheropenings thereof. A channel 43 is disposed in each wall 42 andterminates midway of the mounting block 24. The opposing sides to theentrance of each channel 43 are preferably rounded.

as indicated in FIGURES 4-6.

In assembly, feed-thru connectors 1 are disposed within respectiveopenings 25 of mounting block 24. This is accomplished by inserting thefeed-thru connector into its respective opening 25 from the left end, asshown in FIGURES and 6, toward the right end of the mounting block.Thus, with connector 1 disposed so that lockinglance member 23 precedesdownwardly-directed portion 22 within opening 25, the feed-thruconnector is then inserted within its opening. After the feed-thruconnector has been inserted within its opening 25, as shown in FIGURE 6,locking-lance member 23 is disposed in opening 29 anddownwardly-directed portion 22 is in engagement with surface 36, therebylocking the feed-thru connector within mounting block 24. Projections 8and 9 of side section 2 are disposed in channel 41 and projections 8 and9 of side section 3 are disposed in channel 40. These projections andchannels stabilize the side sections within opening 25 of the mountingblock. Extensions 12 of tine mem bers are disposed respectively inchannels 40 and 41. This stabilizes the free ends of the time memberswithin openings of the mounting block. Now that the feed-thru connectorsare disposed in their respective openings of mounting block 24, they areready to receive tab members 44 within the tab-engaging area.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, each tab member 44 includes a flat section45 which is of rectangular configuration. A conductor-receiving section46 extends outwardly from flat section 45. Conductor-receiving section46 preferably includes a conductor ferrule section in which theconductor of insulated conductor means 47 is crimped and aninsulation-receiving section in which the insulation of conductor means47 is crimped. Of course, conductor means 47 may be secured to tabmember 44 in any other well-known manner, such as, by soldering,welding, etc. The sides and ends of the free end of flat section 45 arepreferably beveled in order to facilitate the insertion of tab member 44within the tab-engaging area between tab members 10. Lugs 48 extendoutwardly from the ends of fiat section 45 adjacent conductor-receivingsection 46.

Upon insertion of a tab member 45 into the tab-receiving area of thefeed-thru connector 1, the top edge of flat section 45 engages flatsurface 39 and the sides of fiat section 45 frictionally engage theinwardly-curved sections 11 of tine members 10 until bottom lug 48 comesinto contact with downwardly-curved portion 21 of member 16. Upon thetab member being pushed further Within the tab-receiving area offeed-thru connector 1 and within opening 25, bottom lug 48 rides alongdownwardlycurved portion 21 and upwardly-directed section 19 untilbottom lug 48 is disposed within opening 18 while top lug 48 abutsagainst surface 38. The action of the top edge of flat section 45engaging flat surface 39 and bottom lug 48 riding alongdownwardly-curved portion 21 and upwardly- Cir directed section 19 is acamming action causing member 16 to be bent about its pivot point towardsurfaces 30, 31 and 32. Downwardly-directed lugs 20 engage inclinedsurface 31 if member 16 is flexed too far, thereby preventingoverstressing member 16.

Thus, as a result of the spring characteristics of member 16, the topedge of upwardly-directed section 19 engages the rear edge of bottom lug48, this lug is then in position within opening 18 and the top edge offlat section 45 is in engagement with flat surface 39, therebyeffectively locking the tab member within the tab-engaging area betweentine members 10 of the feed-thru connector. As can be discerned, top lug48 engages surface 38 and bottom lug 48 is disposed within opening 18 inorder to limit the inner movement of the tab member within opening 25and the tab-engaging area of the feed-thru connector.

From the foregoing, it can be discerned that there has been provided aunique feed-thru connector which is adapted to be secured in an openingof a mounting member, and the feed-thru connector has a tab-receivingarea in which ,a tab member is limited in its movement thereinto, aswell as being effectively locked in a positive manner thereon.

It should be pointed out that the free ends of tine member 10, when flatsection 45 of the tab member is disposed therein, engage the sides ofopenings 25 within channels 40 and 41, thereby causing the tine membersto be biased toward one another in order to frictionally engage section45. This provides ,an excellent mechanical and electrical connection.

While it is possible to dispose a single feed-thru connector memberwithin an opening 25 of a mounting member 24, it is alsopossible toprovide a series of openings 25 within mounting member 24 in parallelrelationship, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, and as disclosed hereinabove,in order to dispose a feed-thru connector 1 within respective openings25 thereof so that tab members 44 and their respective conductor means47 may be individually interconnected within a respective feed-thruconnector 1. It is :also possible to interconnect any number offeed-thru connectors 1 within mounting member 24. This is accomplishedby affixing to U-shaped sections 7 of feed-thru connectors 1 aconductive strip 49 which may be secured to U-shaped sections 7, as bysoldering, welding, etc. Conductive strip 49 is naturally aflixed toU-shaped sections 7 of the feed-thru connectors before the selectednumber of feed-thru connectors atfixed to conductive strip 49 areinserted within respective openings 25 of mounting member 24. A group offeed-thru connectors 1 aflixed to conductive strip 49 can be insertedwithin mounting member 24 because the portion of conductive strip 49between feed-thru connectors 1 is readily received within channels 43.Thus, it is important that feed-thru connectors 1 are properly spacedalong conductive strip 49 when they are affixed thereto. Each end ofmounting block 24 has a channel 50 disposed therein which is incommunication with opening 25 adjacent thereto in order to receivetherein the overhanging portion of conductive strip 49. This overhangingportion of conductive strip 49 which is to fit within channels 50 isimportant because it allows a small amount of latitude when affixing theoutermost fCGd-thfll connectors to the conductive strip. Thus, as can bediscerned, any number or all of the feed-thru connectors within mountingblock 24 may be commoned.

After tab members 44 have been inserted within the tabengaging area ofthe feed-thru connector 1 and positively locked therein, they may beremoved from the locked position within the feed-thru connector by meansof a tool member 51, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Tool member 51 isinserted within an opening 25 into engagement with downwardly inclinedportion 21 of member 16 in order to pivot member 16 in a downwarddirection with lugs 20 coming into contact with surface 31 which limitsits downward movement. This causes upwardly-directed section 19 to bemoved out of engagement with the back part of bottom lug 48 so that tabmember 44 can be removed from the tab-engaging area of the feed-thruconnector and out of the mounting block. It should be pointed out thatonce the tab member has been inserted within the opening of the mountingblock, the entire feed-thru connector and every conductive part of thetab member are completely insulated by the mounting block. In view ofthe fact that lug members 48 are located on each edge of the tab member,it is possible to insert the tab member in either direction within thetab-receiving area of the feed-thru connector, thereby eliminating anyorientating or polarizing concept. Moreover, since the tab member canonly be removed by means of a tool member, this is a safety factor.

Another mounting block similar to that of mounting block 24 may bemounted on the top or bottom of mounting block 24 via keying projection26 or recess 28. Thus, as many blocks as desired may be mounted instacked relationship. Alternatively, mounting block 24 may be formedwith rows of aligned openings 25 instead of a single row, and theopenings may be disposed in a direction normal to that shown by theopenings in FIGURE 4 so that the vertically aligned openings may providea common connection between the feed-thru connectors therein instead ofproviding a common connection between .a longitudinal alignment offeed-thru connectors.

FIGURE 11 illustrates an alternative configuration within the feed-thruconnector in which conductive strip 49 is secured. Legs 51, 52 extendoutwardly from bight sections 4' and 6' and the free ends of legs 51, 52are welded to conductive strip 49'. This allows a larger conductivestrip to be used, thereby providing a larger current-carrying capacity.

From the foregoing, there has been disclosed a unique feed-thruconnector means which is adapted to be mounted within a mounting memberand in which tab member means are positively locked for interconnectiontherebetween.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and otherdesirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasizedthat the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown anddescribed herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not asrestrictive of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housinghaving opening means therein, said opening means having spaced lockingsurfaces, contact means in said opening means comprising side sectionmeans connected by other section means, locking means extendingoutwardly from said other section means and in engagement with saidlocking surfaces to lock said contact means in said opening means, tinemeans extending outwardly from said side section means toward anentrance means of said opening means and including inwardly-directedsections defining tab-engaging means for receiving a tab means inelectrical engagement therewith, and spring tab-lock means extendingoutwardly from said other section means and along said tine means, saidtablock means being in spaced relationship with respect to said tinemeans and extending toward said entrance means of said opening means forengaging said tab means to lock same within said tab-engaging means.

2. In an electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said openingmeans includes channels in surface means opposite the surface meanscontaining said spaced locking surfaces, projections on said sidesection means and extensions on said tine means disposed within saidchannels to stabilize said side section means and said tine means insaid opening means.

3. In an electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said openingmeans includes means to limit the movement of said tab means within saidtab-engaging means and said opening means.

4. In an electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said tab-lockmeans includes lug means for engagement with a surface in said openingmeans to prevent overstressing said tab-lock means.

5. In an electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said housinghas a channel means in communication with said opening means, conductivestn'p means in said channel means and afiixed to some or all of saidcontact means.

6. An electrical connector comprising, in combination, a dielectrichousing and an electrical terminal, said housing having at least oneopening extending therethrough, said opening having spaced stop areas,said electrical terminal being disposed in said opening, means on saidelectrical terminal and in engagement with said stop areas positioningsaid electrical terminal within said opening, said electrical terminalhaving side sections connected together by a bight section defining aU-shape, opposing spring members extending outwardly from said sidesections toward each entrance of said opening and includinginwardly-directed sections defining contact-receiving areas in whichcontact means are electrically receivable, springlocking membersextending outwardly from said bight toward each entrance, saidspring-locking members extending along and being spaced from respectiveones of said spring members, said spring-locking members engageable withthe contact means when said contact means are disposed in saidcontact-receiving areas thereby locking said contact means therein, andmeans on said spring members and in said opening stabilizing said springmembers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,257,317 9/1941 Wade 3392052,431,583 11/1947 Penfold 339-205 2,441,393 5/1948 Buchanan et. a1.339205 X 2,938,190 5/1960 Krehbiel 339217 X 3,011,143 11/1961 Dean339217X 3,015,083 12/1961 Iuris 339-217 X 3,173,737 3/1965 Kinkaid et al339-217 X FOREIGN PATENTS 379,594 4/ 1964 Switzerland.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner.

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, THE COMBINATION OF AN INSULATING HOUSINGHAVING OPENING MEANS THEREIN, SAID OPENING MEANS HAVING SPACED LOCKINGSURFACES, CONTACT MEANS IN SAID OPENING MEANS COMPRISING SIDE SECTIONMEANS CONNECTED BY OTHER SECTION MEANS, LOCKING MEANS EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY FROM SAID OTHER SECTION MEANS AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDLOCKING SURFACES TO LOCK SAID CONTACT MEANS IN SAID OPENING MEANS, TINEMEANS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SIDE SECTION MEANS TOWARD ANENTRANCE MEANS OF SAID OPENING MEANS AND INCLUDING INWARDLY-DIRECTEDSECTIONS DEFINING TAB-ENGAGING MEANS FOR RECEIVING A TAB MEANS INELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, AND SPRING TAB-LOCK MEANS EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY FROM SAID OTHER SECTION MEANS AND ALONG SAID TINE MEANS, SAIDTABLOCK MEANS BEING IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID TINEMEANS AND EXTENDING TOWAD SAID ENTRANCE MEANS OF SAID OPENING MEANS FORENGAGING SAID TAB MEANS TO LOCK SAME WITHIN SAID TAB-ENGAGING MEANS.